Prince selects PMC system for LA studio

US: A PMC monitoring system has been installed at Prince's Composing Facility in Los Angeles, writes David Davies. In time, the PMC BB5-XBD-A Large-Scale Reference monitoring equipment - reportedly chosen to satisfy Prince's requirements for a clear, powerful system - is likely to be relocated to the singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist's Paisley Park recording complex in Minneapolis.

US: A PMC monitoring system has been installed at Prince's Composing Facility in Los Angeles, writes David Davies. In time, the PMC BB5-XBD-A Large-Scale Reference monitoring equipment - reportedly chosen to satisfy Prince's requirements for a clear, powerful system - is likely to be relocated to the singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist's Paisley Park recording complex in Minneapolis.

Prince originally heard the BB5-XBD-A system at the Santa Monica studio complex owned by Terry Lewis, one half of legendary songwriting/production duo Jam & Lewis. The ensuing installation at Prince's own facility was personally overseen by PMC USA's president of sales & marketing, Maurice Patist.

"We are very pleased with the new PMC BB5-XBD-A system," commented Prince's long-time technical consultant, Dave Hampton, "because of three main factors. Firstly, the BB5 sounds wonderful! Secondly, it doesn't hype the sound - the frequency response is ultra-flat across the entire frequency spectrum. And, thirdly, the BB5-XBD-A system produces a full, large sound - just the way we like to work while tracking and mixing. When you're supporting the creative efforts of an artist like Prince, it is crucial that you have a monitoring system that can give you consistent results. PMC gives us that and more."

Employed for basic tracking of demos and remix work, the Composing Facility is based around a Digidesign Pro Tools|HD3 digital audio workstation.

Now one of the world's top live draws in addition to being one of its most prolific recording artists, Prince played a record-breaking 21-date residency at London's O2 Arena in 2007.

UK: Maurice Patist is leading the new operation, which aims to service the global demand for large scale reference monitoring systems, reports David Davies. The newly-formed group will focus on professional recording, broadcast and custom installation/home theatre high-end market sectors.

UK: A new 40sqm surround mastering room at the Metropolis Group's studio complex in Chiswick, London, features a specification including PMC large-scale high definition surround monitors. Other equipment installed in the facility includes a Maselec desk and Prism converters, reports PSN-e.

US/UK: A new family of bi-amplified, professional-grade studio reference monitors developed jointly by Digidesign and PMC was launched at NAB 2007 last week. The Reference Monitor Series (RMS) takes the form of the 5.5" two-way RM1 and 6.7" two-way RM2, reports PSN-e.

NEW ZEALAND: Belltone Recording Studios' Scott Hansen (pictured here with studio cat Castro) has specified Quested S8R full-range monitors, reports David Davies. Hansen - who is director and sound engineer at the East Auckland complex - selected the Quested units following a series of acoustical improvements.